The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-04-21

to be surel. But what hope Was there Tor
me, while there were so many younger and
more agreeable men already at her feetl
And then my secreti All, no, no! l loved
her, but / would not marry her. That
would be too cruel. Neither could the
widow ever by my widow, unless upon bet
Ter Acquaintance could summon sufficient
courage to tell her M secret, and / felt
sure that i never could. But at least !
would try. And in her society might pos
sioly conquer my love Cor Medera-
For the next two weeks kept away :com
Mr.. Budderf1rs, although l WIS constant
visitor at Dunready's. Twice during that
time l met Medora on the street. The first
time she bowed cOldly, but the second time
she did not notice me at all What did it
meant Was she angry because had de-
| serted her for Leda, and did she care some
thing for me, after all! l wouldn't allow
myself to be so egotistical as to think so.
Pshaw! was old enough to be her father.
Well, the night of the Fair came. l ao-
companied Mrs. Vas; iDgs to the hall, which
was already crowded. The youth and beauty
OF Larragona were assembled, and some
thing less than Thousand hearts beat
happy" / was soon to appear before them
as the redoubtable John Smith. doubt if
the real Smith felt more tremulous than l
did as began my preparations for the char
acter.
At last all was in readiness. had lain
myself down at full length upon the stage,
with my head resting upon the fatal stone.
Powhatan, alias White, dressed in full In
dian costume, and looking like veritable
red man, held his club ready to strike, while
Pocahontas, far more beautiful than the
rxyifh bo,. t,,r-Y ,aH nulr-
upon the face of the ''stern parent" pro-
tected me from his impending wrath
Gathered around US were score of young
men. arrayed as children of the forest.
Turn your head little more this way,
Smithy," said the fierce Powhatan; "the
curtain is going up.n
l did as directed. AS I gaZed around
among those terribly fcrocious looking saw
ages, pair of dark eyes met mine. l knew
them, and l recognized the face through
the war paint. / was about to speak, but
just then the curtain rolled up.
All was hushed for one moment, and then
the curtain began slowly to descend. We
must have made very creditable appear
ance for the applause was immense. Down
came the curtain. The cheering continued.
''Rol up again." whispered Powhatan.
''keep cool, Smithy.n
Again the curtain arose. The silence was
awful. held my breath for an instant, and
then with a single bound one of the young
braves RUSHED out upon me, scalping-
knife in hand. A thrill of horror swept
through the audience, the ladies shrieked,
and Pocahontas tainted / could not move,
aud all the rest seemed spellboEnd. The
scalping- knife flashed like lightning around
my head, and then, ah, then-the yCIng
Indian clutched my hair. l shut my eyes,
l tried to pray, tried 10 shout. He tore
my patent rig from nly head, exposing mig
secret to the world, and mt completely bald
pate to the ieers of the CROFT
Seize himl'' yelled, springing to my
feet; but alas he had fed from the hall,
carrying my scalp with him.
mot down in tho bills - cried voice in
the rear of the hall.
mot historical, Smithyi" shouted an
other.
A roar of laughter followed.
/ think should have killed some one If
Powhatan had not held ne fast, for l was
wild with rage.
At this point Mrs. Vastings, who had been
laid upon sofa at the back of the stage,
opened her beautiful eyes. Her first glance
fell upon my shining poll, and a shudder ran
through her frame. / rushed to her side
80 Leda,'' cried, 'the cat is out of ht
6agr'
$50 see," she answered, with a percep-
tible shiver, motioning for me to leave her;
''and you've lost the bag;"
"LtM BruteF' groaned, and then with
one mighty effort | freed myself from Pow
hatan and fed down the stairs, followed by
the ringing jeers and laughter of the crowd.
Preached the store, and rushed up into
my room. Ha! the young Indian was there
before me, with my scalp S ill in his hand
''Villainr' yelled, seizing him by the
throat.
'Hold hold am ~
'Whog'
'Medora Budderflim
''The d-ickensln / sank into a seat
Explain"
She hung her head for moment, and
then, raising her dark eyes to mine, she
whispered:
II loved you"
''Me! Loved mel" exclaimed
ayes, and l knew your secret. It was
told me by lady who lives in your native
town.
.sWen!"
II heard you were going to marry Mrs.
Vastings. / could not have it so. l heard
her speaking only yes erday of your beau
tiful hair, ana then l resolved upon my
course. l have turned you into ridicule,
but -"
'COme to my arms, darling" cried, fold
ing her to my breast.
do you forgive me, William!'
"a thousand times, darling" answered,
kissing her sweet lips. 'And you will be
mine!'
Yes, forever. Here's your scalp, love-"
and she placed it on my head.
Just month from that night we wero
but to this day no one in LARA
gona but ourselves knows who the young
Indian was who scalped Captain John
Smith.-N. p. Darling, in Bdllou'S Magazine.